Evaluation of different isotherm models,kinetic, thermodynamic,and copper biosorption efficiency of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

The biosorption characteristics of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution using Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. biomass were investigated. The biosorption efficiency of Cu(II) onto biomass was significantly influenced by the operating parameters. The maximum biosorption efficiency of L. pulmonaria was 65.3% at 10 mg/L initial metal concentration for 5 g/L lichen biomass dosage. The biosorption of Cu(II) ions onto biomass fits the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. The thermodynamic parameters indicate the feasibility and exothermic and spontaneous nature of the biosorption. The effective desorption achieved with HCl was 96%. Information on the nature of possible interactions between the functional groups of the L. pulmonaria biomass and Cu(II) ions was obtained via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the carboxyl (–COOH) and hydroxyl (–OH) groups of the biomass were mainly involved in the biosorption of Cu(II) onto L. pulmonaria biomass. The L. pulmonaria is a promising biosorbent for Cu(II) ions because of its availability, low cost, and high metal biosorption and desorption capacities.

Implications: Lobaria pulmonaria is a promising biosorbent for Cu(II) ions because of its availability, low cost, and high metal biosorption and desorption capacities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper on the biosorption Cu by L. pulmonaria.     

Phosphorus removal by fly ash

The aim of this work was to investigate the possible use of fly ash generated from thermic power stations in the removal of phosphorus contained in aqueous solutions. A series of batch tests were conducted and the influence of temperature, phosphate concentration, and fly ash dosage on phosphate removal were investigated. The effect of adsorption dosage was not significant at any temperature applied. Phosphate removal in excess of 99% was obtained in these studies. Maximum removals were achieved at 40°C. The tests were also carried out on a continuous basis in an adsorption column. It was found that fly ash is an efficient adsorbent for phosphate removal. This was expected due to the high concentration of calcite present in the fly ash (338 g/kg). The phosphate removal decreased to 80.4% at the end of 72 h.     

The co-movements between geothermal energy usage and CO2 emissions through high and low frequency cycles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Geothermal energy is considered environmentally friendly than fossil fuel sources, and geothermal power plants are expected to have a low carbon...     

Microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plants: a case study of Denizli/Turkey

● High amounts of microplastics are released to receiving media from WWTPs. ● The effect of classical treatment processes on MP removal is important. ● MP load in the effluent of WWTPs is important for developing treatment technology. ● Additional physical treatment could help further reduce MP discharge. Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm are microplastics. They are among the significant pollutants that recently attracted attention. Great quantities of microplastics enter the sewage system daily and reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). As a result, WWTPs are potential microplastic sources. Hence, they create a pathway for microplastics to reach aquatic environments with treated wastewater discharge. Studies on microplastic characterization in WWTPs have gained momentum in academia. This study investigates the abundance, size, shape, color, polymer type, and removal efficiencies of microplastics in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Denizli/Turkey. The results showed that the dominant microplastic shape in wastewater samples was fibers (41.78%–60.77%) in the 100–500 µm (58.57%–80.07%) size range. Most of the microplastics were transparent-white (32.86%–58.93%). The dominant polymer types were polyethylene (54.05%) and polyethylene vinyl acetate (37.84%) in raw wastewater. Furthermore, the microplastic removal efficiencies of the Denizli Central WWTP as a whole and for individual treatment units were evaluated. Although the microplastic pollution removal efficiency of the Denizli Central WWTP was over 95%, the microplastic concentration discharged daily into the receiving environment was considerably high (1.28 × 10¹⁰ MP/d). Thus, Denizli Central WWTP effluents result in a high volume of emissions in terms of microplastic pollution with a significant daily discharge to the Çürüksu Stream.     

Utilization of waste glass in ECO-cement: strength properties and microstructural observations

Waste glass creates a serious environmental problem, mainly because of the inconsistency of the waste glass streams. The use of waste glass as a finely ground mineral additive (FGMA) in cement is a promising direction for recycling. Based on the method of mechano-chemical activation, a new group of ECO-cements was developed. In ECO-cement, relatively large amounts (up to 70%) of portland cement clinker can be replaced with waste glass. This report examines the effect of waste glass on the microstructure and strength of ECO-cement based materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations were used to observe the changes in the cement hydrates and interface between the cement matrix and waste glass particles. According to the research results, the developed ECO-cement with 50% of waste glass possessed compressive strength properties at a level similar to normal portland cement.     

Scanning electron microscopy study of the gills,scales and erythrocytes of Anabas testudineus upon exposure to chlorpyrifos

The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicity of sublethal concentrations (125, 250, and 375 µg L^?1) of chlorpyrifos on Anabas testudineus for 21 days. The morphological changes on the gills, scales, and erythrocytes of A. testudineus were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Gill alterations included highly active mucous cells, epithelial hyperplasia, and fusion of secondary lamellae. The scales showed damaged lepidonts. Oozed out cytoplasmic content and lobopodial projections were observed in the erythrocytes after exposure to chlorpyrifos.     

Export quality,economic growth,and renewable-nonrenewable energy use: non-linear evidence through regime shifts

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Since export has a key role in economic growth in terms of national production quantity, export quality can be considered another important factor...